We are a game loving family. We love hanging out and playing cards or board games, especially during the longer winter nights. Last year, Josiah made a fun classic game for us and for each family in our extended families. Pick up sticks!
Besides a frappachino bottle you will also need between 15 and 30 feet of thin dowel. Something to cut the dowel with – Josiah used a small hacksaw. Acrylic paints in black, red, blue, green and yellow. Josiah stained his instead of painting them and we just count the number of sticks each person gets instead of using a point system. You’ll also need a pencil sharpener.

~ Cut the dowels into 30 sticks. They can be anywhere from 6″ to 12″ long.
~ Use the pencil sharpener to sharpen to a point both ends of each stick.
~ Paint or stain each stick. Even if you stain them, you need one stick that is a different color. If you paint them, you need 1 black, 7 red, 7 blue, 8 green and 7 yellow.
~ While the sticks are drying, drink a frappachino and wash out the bottle. Then etch the glass, I shared a tutorial for etching glass last week.
~ When the paint or stain is dry and the bottle is etched, put the sticks into the bottle and you’re done.
Just in case you can’t remember how to play pick up sticks, I made a downloadable instruction sheet here.
Enjoy your game!
This post is linked to Barn Hop,
I might have to do this! Very nostalgic. I had a ‘pick up sticks’ game when I was a kid. 🙂
They are nostalgic. It’s fun to see my kids all huddled around the pile playing. My 4 year old loves this game – although I heard yesterday that she has different standards for movement when it’s her turn.
What a CUTE idea! I love this! Fun project followed by a fun time with the family. You have such great ideas!
awww, Thanks, Jo. We do like our games around here.
How fun! This is basically the same technique I used for making double pointed knitting needles! (And thanks for including instructions, it’s been a LONG time!)
I never thought of making knitting needles. Thanks a great idea!